University of Miami Health System
The Robert G. Fenley Writing Awards: Solicited Articles
Bronze
Two new grants from the U.S. Department of Defense will support Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center studies of endometrial cancer in Black women. The studies aim to understand the biology of the cancer and awareness of its symptoms in different subpopulations of Black women and also dissect the lived experiences in different populations and parts of the world. The projects are led by Sylvester researchers Sophia George, Ph.D., and Matthew Schlumbrecht, M.D., M.P.H. and the researchers aim to use their new funding to study and eventually identify women at high risk for this disease. Shakeya Allen, an endometrial cancer survivor is teaming up with the researchers to increase awareness of the disease through her nonprofit: Uterine Cancer Awareness Network.
What was the most impactful part of your entry?
The most impactful part of this story is the personal patient story, which illustrates the need for research on the biology and lived experience of Black women. It was a surprising and compelling story, offering a glimpse into a woman’s life and demonstrating how awareness could have provided her with the knowledge needed to seek care earlier and advocate for herself more effectively.
What challenge did you overcome?
Even though I am a woman of color and of Hispanic descent, I did not realize that there are more serious considerations for Black women with endometrial cancer. I learned that there are disparities in experience and outcomes for Black women, who are more likely to have poorer outcomes than women of other races. There may be a genomic reason for this, and there may be nuances in the experiences of Black women in our community compared to Black women in populations around the world.
Contact:
Joey Garcia
joeygarcia@med.miami.edu